Killer Headline by Debby Giusti Page A

Spokane. They’ve known someone was selling in the neighborhood, but didn’t have a name or location. They’re staking out the druggie’s house as we speak and hoping to make a bust as soon as they have probable cause.”
    “What about a possible connection with Chicago? Did they run a check on Jamie?”
    “It’s in the works. O’Reilly said he’d let me know if they uncover anything.”
    “Does the reporter realize she’s had two close encounters?”
    “You’d think she’d realize she might be in danger. Unfortunately, she was quizzing me over lunch about a possible next Mafia hit. She’s convinced I’m in Missoula because the mob’s coming after another green-eyed woman.”
    “Did you tell her if she continues to ask questions about the Martino family, she may be writing her own obit?”
    Although Clay knew Jackson was trying to make a point, what he had said hit Clay hard. Cute and feisty though Violet was, her life was in danger. He needed to keep up surveillance so the mob wouldn’t have an opportunity to take her out.
    “From what we’ve gotten,” Jackson continued, “the mob’s focused on the Treasure State. There’s talk ofmore women in danger. The U.S. Marshals are attempting to notify everyone in Witness Protection who fits the Mafia-hit profile.”
    Clay remembered what Violet had said. “Green eyes. Age twenty-one to forty. Attractive.”
    “That’s right.”
    Violet fit the bill, except her eyes weren’t green. They were brown. Big brown eyes that revealed so much of what she was trying to hold inside—her control, her desire to excel, her wit and charm.
    “Listen, Clay, I’ve got another call. Let me know if anything new develops.”
    “Will do.”
    Clay disconnected and continued to watch the Plaza Complex, knowing Violet would eventually leave her office. He’d follow her home and keep her under surveillance tonight. She’d been in danger last night, and he may have thwarted two attempts to do her harm.
    From what Jackson said, the mob was on the move to Missoula. Violet was too naive to see the danger, but Clay was well aware of what could happen if he let down his guard.
    If he had to stick like glue to Violet to keep her safe, that’s exactly what he’d do. Whether she liked it or not.
     
    Approaching her house from the alleyway, Violet turned into the garage and hurried inside, locking the door behind her. Her answering machine blinked from her desk. She hit the play button and listened as a telemarketer started his spiel.
    Delete.
    The second call made her smile.
    “Vi-o-let.” Her neighbor Bernice used a long “o” for the middle vowel. “Come over when you get home from work. I’ve cooked a nice dinner and hope you can join me tonight.”
    Bernice’s home cooking was hard to pass up. Plus, Violet had told Clay she had plans. Her neighbor’s invitation proved she did. Violet was out the door before giving her decision a second thought.
    The temperature had dropped with the setting sun. Luckily, Bernice didn’t live far. The penetrating cold chilled Violet’s bare hands. She rubbed them together as she climbed onto the porch and knocked on her neighbor’s front door, glancing back at her own house to ensure she’d left the light on. The door creaked open behind her.
    “If it isn’t my old friend Violet Kramer.”
    She turned, realizing her self-control might be in danger again when she saw who was standing in the open doorway.

FIVE
    “Y our former commitment must have fallen through. I hope it wasn’t anything important.” Clay tried to keep from smirking. “There’s a fire in the living room. Come in and get warm.”
    “Ah…what…are you…?”
    Violet acted as flustered as she had this afternoon at the newspaper. Her cheeks pinked from embarrassment. Both of them knew she hadn’t been forthright about her plans for the evening. Of course, he hadn’t mentioned his new lodging, either.
    Bernice stepped from the kitchen. “Everything will be